The history of the Military Hospital of Bucharest is intertwined with the modernization of Romania and the development of national military medicine. At the beginning of the 19th century, a time of significant political and military turmoil, the need arose to organize a medical system adapted to the army. Military hospitals, unlike civilian ones, operated under specific rules and missions: they were designed to respond swiftly to wartime needs, with flexible structures that could transform into field hospitals or emergency units.

The Birth of a Fundamental Institution for Romanian Medicine

The precursors of these modern facilities were lazarettos, isolated places where the wounded and sick were treated, as well as people affected by epidemics. The term came from European medieval traditions, but in Wallachia, it was adapted to designate the early cores of future military hospitals.

The founding moment of the Military Hospital of Bucharest is officially dated September 13, 1831, a day of dual significance in Romanian history. On that day, firefighters under Captain Pavel Zăgănescu heroically defended Dealul Spirii against Ottoman troops. At the same time, the ruler, Alexandru Ghica, tasked the army commander with urgently organizing a hospital for wounded soldiers – the "Hospital for the Land Army."

The responsibility for establishing this hospital was given to Dr. Johann Georg Andreas von Grünau (1784–1857), a German physician settled in Wallachia. A graduate of the University of Göttingen, von Grünau became the hospital’s first chief, leading it from 1831 to 1837. Under his guidance, the first military medical institution in the country was established, initially named "Lazaretul Regimentului 1," located within the Mihai Vodă Monastery.

Von Grünau made a major contribution to training the first military medics and feldshers, anticipating reforms later implemented by Carol Davila. He also introduced the first internal service regulations for the hospital, setting clear rules for medical organization and military hygiene.

From Lazaret to Elite Institution

After 1831, the Military Hospital of Bucharest quickly became a key center of the army’s medical services. Early military doctors included Alcibiade Tavernier, Petre Ferrari, Ignat Navarra, Ștefan Episcopescu, and surgeons Carol Vasarhely and Alexandru Leding.

Another prominent figure was Johann Nepomuk Mayer, a Viennese doctor who settled in Bucharest in 1832. He played a crucial role in organizing Wallachia’s military medical service, becoming chief medical officer and inspector of military hospitals. Mayer led the hospital from 1838 to 1850, contributing to modern medical standards and training future physicians.

In March 1853, Carol Davila arrived in Wallachia, a figure who would profoundly transform the military medical system. Appointed by Prince Barbu Știrbei as chief physician of the army and commander of the Military Hospital, Davila became a visionary reformer, laying the foundations of modern Romanian medicine.

Between 1853 and 1882, Davila introduced essential reforms: modernizing the hospital, reorganizing medical services, training personnel, and founding the Small Surgery School, which later became the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy. In 1858, he issued the first comprehensive internal regulations, dividing the hospital into two main divisions: medical and surgical.

Davila was not only a physician and teacher but also a strategist for healthcare development. He advocated for a new hospital building, supported by Prince Barbu Știrbey and Acting Governor Alexandru Dimitrie Ghica.

Modernization and Expansion

From 1859 to 1883, the Military Hospital operated on Știrbei Vodă Street, in today’s building of the National Anticorruption Directorate. In 1883, the Ministry of War purchased land near Gara de Nord, ideal for transporting wounded soldiers by train.

A new pavilion-style building was constructed between 1883 and 1889, a model widely adopted at the time, including for civilian hospitals. It is said that the land had belonged either to the Golești boyars or the pharmacist Witting. The hospital was officially named the Central Military Hospital and later, after the War of Independence, it received the additional title "Queen Elisabeth," in recognition of the queen’s involvement in caring for wounded soldiers.

The hospital’s internal organization was continuously refined. By 1861, it consisted of five divisions: two medical, one for venereal diseases, one surgical, and one mixed. In 1880, Carol Davila reorganized it again to meet contemporary medical demands, establishing it as a reference center for the entire army.

Daily routines were strictly regulated: Dr. Davila began his day at 7 a.m. with the “morning report,” attended by all garrison physicians. He also promoted continuous training, sending medical staff to specialize in Montpellier and Paris.

The Military Hospital in Wars and Reforms

The Military Hospital played a crucial role in major 20th-century conflicts. During World War I, it became one of the primary centers for treating wounded soldiers. In 1915, the military sanatorium "Elena Eraclide" was established near the Military Hospital on Calea Plevnei, intended for officers. With 100 beds, it provided surgical, dental, and urological services and was administratively under the Military Hospital.

During both world wars, the hospital functioned as an interior zone hospital, treating thousands of wounded. After 1945, it returned to standard medical activity, and the Elena Eraclide sanatorium ceased operations in 1949.

In 1929, a new pavilion named “Princess Ileana” was established, serving as a training base for students of the Red Cross School. The royal family’s involvement in military healthcare further strengthened the hospital’s reputation as a cornerstone of Romanian medicine.

After 1979, modern monobloc buildings were added to the historic complex to meet contemporary requirements. The Ministry of Armed Forces Polyclinic also opened on Cobălcescu Street, integrated within the hospital.

A Living Legacy: From Carol Davila to Modern Medicine

No history of the Military Hospital of Bucharest is complete without mentioning the prominent figures who shaped its destiny. Beyond Carol Davila, other distinguished doctors included Athanase Demosthen, Zaharia Petrescu, Ioan Vercescu, Mihai Butoianu, Constantin Zamfir, Bogdan Marinescu, Traian Oancea, Gheorghe Stănicioiu, Scarlat Longhin, Mircea Olteanu, and neurologist Gheorghe Găitan, who combined medicine with literary and artistic pursuits.

Contemporary figures such as Vasile Cândea, Victor Voicu, Dumitru Constantin Dulcan, Dan Mischianu, and pharmacist Seneca Berghianu have continued this tradition, enhancing the hospital’s prestige.

Today, the hospital bears the full name “Central Military University Emergency Hospital Dr. Carol Davila” and is one of Romania’s most advanced medical facilities. 

It comprises eight university clinics affiliated with the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy: otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, internal medicine, gastroenterology, orthopedics, urology, gynecology, medical imaging, and implantology.

The hospital also features a comprehensive emergency service, capable of responding to crises and wartime situations, connected to Euro-Atlantic civil protection systems. 

It is engaged in 21 research and development projects in partnership with prestigious institutions, including the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Engineering, the Romanian Space Agency, the Cantacuzino Institute, the Politehnica University of Bucharest, and the Al. Trestioreanu Oncology Institute.

Research activities are supported by 32 teaching staff members and nine scientific researchers conducting advanced clinical studies, both nationally and internationally.

Tradition, Memory, and Heritage

The Central Military Hospital is not only a medical institution but also a living museum of Romanian medicine. Its premises host busts, commemorative plaques, and inscriptions with the names of commanders throughout its nearly two-century history.

The most significant historical and artistic monument is the bust of General Doctor Carol Davila, created in 1903 by the great sculptor Constantin Brâncuși. 

Initially placed in the hospital courtyard in 1912, the original now resides in the National Military Museum, while a meticulously crafted replica remains on the hospital grounds, symbolizing the continuity and respect for the founder of modern Romanian medicine.

A Hospital Born from Sacrifice, Becoming a Symbol of Excellence

From Lazaretul Regimentului 1 in 1831 to today’s Central Military University Emergency Hospital Dr. Carol Davila, this institution has evolved over nearly two centuries into a center of performance and excellence. 

Born out of the need to treat soldiers who heroically fought on Dealul Spirii, the hospital has become a benchmark of Romanian medicine and a hub for research, education, and clinical practice.

Through its tradition, the remarkable individuals who shaped its history, and its ongoing contribution to the health of military personnel and civilians, the Military Hospital of Bucharest remains a unique institution. 

It is a place where heroism, science, and dedication converge, a symbol of modern Romania, a bastion of health, and a tribute to the sacrifices of those who made history on Dealul Spirii in 1831.

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